UP FOR THE CUP 'EVEN THOUGH I'M A FOOTBALLER, I'M STILL A NORMAL PERSON'

ENGLAND MIDFIELDER DECLAN RICE SAYS PLAYING IN HIS FIRST WORLD CUP IS A DREAM COME TRUE, BUT GETTING RECOGNISED CAN BE TOUGH SOMETIMES

England’s Lionesses inspired people up and down the country with their historic Euros win this summer. And no one was more encouraged by their triumph than the men’s team, who will be hoping to bring home another trophy at the World Cup, which has just kicked off in Qatar.

“We were definitely inspired,” says midfielder Declan Rice. “It was a real historic moment and they fully deserved it.”

And the West Ham player is confident he and his team can win the 2022 World Cup and bring an end to the famous 56 years of hurt.

“Oh, 100% we can win,” says Declan, 23, who was left “gutted” after England were beaten by Italy in the final of the 2020 Euros. “We have a great squad of experienced and younger players. We’ll give it our best go and that’s all we can ask for.”

Away from the football pitch, life has been extra busy for Declan after he and his long-term partner, Lauren Fryer, welcomed their son, Jude, into the world in August. And while questions about Jude and fatherhood are off limits, Declan does tell us how grateful he is for our congratulations. “Thank you, I really appreciate it,” he smiles over Zoom.

Here, Declan opens up about hanging out with the Lionesses and watching Love Island, the pressure of being in the public eye and his thoughts about that all-important World Cup…